VANDERBIJLPARK – A gathering of black struggling farmers in Sedibeng convened at plot 323 in Vanderbijlpark to engage with various departments within the agricultural sector on Monday, January 29.
The meeting served as a platform for farmers to voice their concerns, encompassing challenges related to funding applications, farming necessities, and land acquisitions.
Simon Nkosi, the farmers’ organiser, spoke to Ster South, shedding light on the motivation behind approaching the agriculture department and inviting them to the meeting.
Nkosi emphasised: “Farmers in Sedibeng, especially those in Vanderbijlpark, hardly receive any form of assistance from the relevant farming departments in the government. We have a dedicated land manager who is overwhelmed with responsibilities and doesn’t adequately attend to our people. Hence, the need for a meeting to address grievances.”
Nkosi outlined some of the primary challenges faced by the farmers, expressing hope for resolution. “We have vacant land in Emfuleni for farming that remains underutilised, and our people are restricted from using it.
Some farmers keep their livestock behind their houses. There are ambitious farmers eager to grow their businesses, but they face challenges meeting the demands of large stores, which frequently require supplies from those with extensive farming hectares,” he explained.
Addressing the desired outcomes of the meeting, Nkosi stated: “Following this gathering, we hope to receive relevant assistance. We urge the department to provide training for our aspiring farmers and offer funding to those who qualify without gatekeeping. Clear budget allocation for the people of Emfuleni, detailing expenditures in the last fiscal year and beneficiaries, is crucial.”
Mpho Tlape, the director responsible for farmers’ support at the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, expressed the department’s commitment to addressing the concerns.
“We are here to listen to the people and showcase what we do as a department. Our aim is to provide essential information to the farming community, outlining processes to tap into government support systems. We will offer comprehensive information on agriculture and farming to support Sedibeng,” he affirmed.
